~29 spots leftby Feb 2026

Aerobic Exercise for Alzheimer's Disease (BIMII Trial)

Palo Alto (17 mi)
Overseen byMarc J Poulin, PhD, DPhil
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Travel: May be covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: N/A
Waitlist Available
Sponsor: University of Calgary
No Placebo Group
Approved in 3 jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This trial tests whether regular aerobic exercise can help prevent dementia in older adults with memory issues. The exercise program aims to improve brain health by boosting blood flow and fitness. Researchers hope to show that this can slow down or prevent cognitive decline.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for inactive adults aged 50-80 with memory complaints but no dementia, and at least one vascular risk factor like high blood pressure or diabetes. They should not be doing vigorous exercise more than twice a week and must speak English fluently. People with serious illnesses, history of stroke, or other conditions that could affect the study can't join.

Exclusion Criteria

I am not fluent in English.
I have had a stroke in the past.

Treatment Details

The trial tests if regular aerobic exercise can prevent or slow down cognitive decline in older adults at risk of Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD). Participants will do either aerobic exercises or stretching-toning exercises to see which helps brain health and cognition more.
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Stretch and StrengthExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
A control group will meet on a similar schedule as the exercise group for sessions on stretching and toning but without aerobic exercise. Based on prior RCTs of similar interventions the investigators expect this control to be ineffective or minimally effective, but anticipate that it will increase participant enthusiasm and retention. All assessments will be conducted in this arm.
Group II: Aerobic exerciseExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will take part in a supervised 6-month-long aerobic (walk/jog) training program held 3 days/week. Each session will include a 5-min warm-up, 20-40 min of aerobic exercise (walking, jogging), 5-min cool-down, and stretching. Exercise prescriptions will follow current principles and guidelines established by ACSM/AHA, including sufficient warm-up, cool-down, and ongoing provision of safety precautions/exercise tips. As participants progress, the duration of aerobic exercise will increase from 20 (month 1) to 30 (months 2-3) and 40 min (months 4-6), with proportional increases to warm-up and cool-down periods. Exercise intensity will be based on individual maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), measured at baseline. Intensity will build from 30-45% (months 1-3) to mitigate the risk of injury and will progress to 60-70% (months 4-6) heart rate reserve (HRR).
Aerobic exercise is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Approved in United States as Aerobic Exercise for:
  • Rehabilitation after stroke
  • Improvement of physical function
  • Enhancement of cognitive function
  • Reduction of depression
πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ί Approved in European Union as Aerobic Exercise for:
  • Cardiovascular rehabilitation
  • Improvement of physical function
  • Enhancement of cognitive function
πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Approved in Canada as Aerobic Exercise for:
  • Rehabilitation after stroke
  • Improvement of physical function
  • Enhancement of cognitive function

Find a clinic near you

Research locations nearbySelect from list below to view details:
University of CalgaryCalgary, Canada
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Who is running the clinical trial?

University of CalgaryLead Sponsor
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)Collaborator

References